RECR's Blog

There is nothing more satifying on cold fall nights than a good hot bowl of homemade soup.  So, as the weather has turned, so has my culinary venture. 

(I just made this for dinner the other night...and I thought it was good enough to share with all my foodie friends on AR.) 

Blushing Onion Soup

1/4 Cup butter or margarine (1/2 Stick)
5 Cups Thinly Sliced Onion
2 cloves garlic, Finely Chopped
1 bottle low sodium tomato juice (64 Oz)
1 1/2 Cup water (hot)
3 T. Beef Flavored Instant Bouillon Granules or 3 Bouillon Cubes
3 T. Dried parsley flakes
8 Slices French bread 
4 Cups Shredded mozzarella Cheese

Before you do anything else, put the bouillon cubes (or granules) into the hot water and let them dissolve.  This will make your life sooo much easier in the long run. 

Now, in large kettle, over medium heat, melt butter. I use a bit more butter than the recipe says...but, who doesnt, right??

Cook the onions and garlic in the butter until tender, about 10 minutes.  You will have to stay on top of this to avoid the onions carmalizing to the bottom of the pan.  So, stir frequently to ensure even cooking.

Add everything else....tomato juice, water, bouillon and parsley. Bring this mishmash to boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally as you do not want the onions to char to the bottom of the pan. Be careful to make sure the heat is on low...or you will cook the onions down to an unrecognizable paste. 

Now, to serve, ladle your soup into 8 ovenproof soup bowls.  Make sure you have a good scoop of onions in each bowl. Top With bread slices and sprinkle generously with cheese. Throw them under the broiler for around 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve at once. Serves 8.

One thing I must tell you at this point about the whole 'serve at once' thing....both the bowls and the contents of the bowls will be LAVA HOT!!!!  So, I recommend you pull them out of the oven and wait about 5 minutes or so before attempting to eat them or you will be in a trauma ward starting at a nurse named Larry who is trying to choke back the laughter as they schedule a skin graft for your tongue and the roof of your mouth.  (Its amazing to me the clarity with which I could recall that detail....)

Enjoy!!